09/10/2008

A former Daily Record, Herald and Evening Times reporter has died at the tragically young age of 32, from cancer.

Calum Macdonald died on Tuesday. He had recently left the Herald, which he joined from the Daily Record four years ago, to return to college, to study law.

Said a colleague: “Kind, funny and hugely popular, he will be much missed across the world of journalism.”

A former Record colleague added: “Calum was an extremely popular member of the Record staff, where his intelligence and sharp wit were well appreciated.

“He was a great reporter, very good at rolling up his sleeves and exposing the baddies. He was tenacious when he took an interest in a project and you wouldn't wish him to be making enquiries about your dodgy dealings.

“His time at the Record saw him creeping through bushes to bag photos of gangsters. He was also invited into the home of notorious Tam McGraw, who memorably dropped his pants to prove he hadn't been shot.

‘He also banged in many big stories and quickly became one of the highest-regarded reporters, at a very young age.

“Calum's conscience did take it hard, however, when he suspected that a designated Record ‘baddie’ may actually be not so bad if you scraped beneath the surface.

“He was very kind-natured and really did suffer if he felt a story in the paper brought unjust pain on any individuals.
He was perhaps too nice and conscientious to stay too long in tabloid journalism.

“That was was maybe one reason for heading to The Herald, where he was extremely highly regarded, professionally, and appreciated for his top-notch patter.

“Prior to finishing his legal studies Calum was working with law firm, Levy and McRae, where I know he was regarded as an exceptional prospect in his chosen new profession.”

Comment:  Dear Calum, I'm numbed to hear of your death. You were one of the nicest and most decent "rivals" I ever encountered. I absolutely thought the world of you ever since the first time we met at the Press Ball years ago. But I soon came to respect you professionally too. It was always a pleasure to see you out on the same story as me. It got me to raise my game.
In some ways we were very similar - I used to wonder if I was a bit too sensitive and emotional to crack it in journalism. But you need not have worried. Your humanity shone through in everything you wrote.
I remember when you told me you were giving up full-time journalism to study law. I was sorry but not entirely surprised. Yet it was so typical of you to chose a difficult challenge rather than an easy one.
RIP dear friend. I really will miss you. All my thoughts are with your family. Jamie McIvor, BBC Scotland.

Comment: I was fortunate to know Calum from my first day at Aberdeen University in 1994 when we were both law under-graduates. He was extremely popular and will be missed by all his friends from university days. Arthur MacMillan.



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